What: English Premier League
Who: Arsenal vs Newcastle United
When: Saturday 29th December, 2012, at 17:30 UK Time
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Have Arsenal Turned a Corner?
Arsenal are a bit like Fernando Torres. Every few weeks they give an indication that they have turned a corner and are finally finding form, before shooting themselves in the foot. Three wins in a row, against West Brom, Reading and Wigan, would indicate that the Gunners are approaching their best once again, although plenty of question marks still remain. While they were deserved winners against West Brom, it still took two penalties to win the game. Two goals were conceded to Reading, while Wigan were highly unfortunate not to take anything from their encounter last weekend.
What is clear about Arsenal is that they play better when they are well rested. There was some merit in Arsene Wenger’s observation last month about how tired his team are, although that is a direct result of the lack of strength in the squad, meaning he cannot rotate as he may like.
With a whole week to recover and prepare for this game, Arsenal should have an advantage. It is also something of a novelty for them to face a team suffering a worse injury crisis than themselves. The last two games have seen Theo Walcott play at centre forward and he has done a reasonable job on both occasions. He is learning that the role requires him to drop back into space to receive the ball to link up the play, but there are still signs that he is too quick sometimes to make forward runs, leaving some of Arsenal’s attacks disjointed. If Walcott can time his runs correctly, his reinvention as a centre forward could be a welcome tonic for the Gunners going into the new year.
Boxing Day Agony for Newcastle
An agonising defeat at Manchester United will have been hard to take for the Magpies. Few teams take the lead twice at Old Trafford, let alone three times, and then still come away with nothing. Yet it says much for the character of Alan Pardew’s side that they were able to continue taking the lead against the league leaders after being pegged back. Lesser sides would have crumbled earlier than the 90th minute.
Although his team remain depleted, deprived of Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and the two Taylors, Ryan and Steven, Newcastle do at least welcome back Cheick Tiote and that will be a major boost. The Magpies’ superb form last season was based on a solid defence, good organisation, work ethic and skilful counter attacking. That system has become to come unstuck against some of the Premier League’s smaller teams, sitting back against Newcastle. However, it remains effective against the top sides, with competitive showings at Anfield and Old Trafford already. It would then be wise to not read too much into the side’s general form when Newcastle make the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Pardew’s men are far closer to the drop zone than they would be comfortable with halfway through the season though. With just 20 points to their name, Newcastle are five clear of Wigan in the third relegation spot. They need to climb the table fast to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle. Can the Magpies shock Arsenal?
Recent form
Arsenal:
Bradford 1-1 Arsenal [3-2 pens] (11/12; League Cup)
Reading 2-5 Arsenal (17/12; Premier League)
Wigan 0-1 Arsenal (22/12; Premier League)
Newcastle:
Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City (15/12; Premier League)
Newcastle 1-0 QPR (22/12; Premier League)
Manchester United 4–3 Newcastle (26/12; Premier League)
Key absences
Arsenal: Abou Diaby; Andre Santos; Lukasz Fabianski
Newcastle: Steven Taylor; Ryan Taylor; Hatem Ben Arfa; Yohan Cabaye; Dan Gosling; Mike Williamson
Players to watch
Arsenal – Jack Wilshere: There are signs that Wilshere is approaching his best again having built his fitness up since his return to the Arsenal team. The Englishman is even more important when Santi Cazorla’s ability to influence a game is restricted as it has been at times of late. Arsenal tend to run into problems when they start passing the ball sideways without really getting anywhere. The Gunners play well when their passing takes opponents out of the game and Wilshere brings such incision to the party. Against a well organised team like Newcastle, he will be key.
Newcastle United – Cheick Tiote: Unlike most of the squad, Tiote will be well rested after a suspension meant he missed the Manchester United game on Wednesday. In a team shorn of so many key players, Tiote’s energy in midfield will be absolutely vital. Arsenal have struggled when teams have managed to contain and constrict the space in which Cazorla can play. But with Wilshere coming into form, Tiote will have an even tougher battle on his hands and how successful he is in that area of the pitch will go some way to determining whether Newcastle return home with anything from this match.
Match Prediction
This game should be quite predictable from a tactical perspective. Arsenal will press forward, dominate possession and Newcastle will be happy to let them do so. The key for the visitors will be whether they can counter attack as effectively as they did at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Unlike Arsenal however, they will have to deal with the effects of tiredness and the disappointment of a last minute defeat. Few things are more draining than going so close and working so hard for a huge result like the one Newcastle were set to claim on Wednesday, before succumbing to a last minute winner.
A refreshed Arsenal will hope that their midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla continue their recent improvement in form. In theory, they should be able to form one of the Premier League’s best central midfields and if all are on song they give the Gunners real reason for optimism. Up front, Arsene Wenger may opt to bring back Olivier Giroud to deal with the tenacious defending of Fabricio Coloccini. Walcott was a real nuisance in this fixture from out wide last year. It could be that added variety to Arsenal’s play this season which earns them a hard fought win. Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle.
Betting on Arsenal v Newcastle? Visit Inside Bet before you bet.
